friyay happy hour: cucumber pineapple smash

one month from today, my family and i will be getting off a plane in brazil for the olympic games.

on thursday, we are headed down to san diego for the official olympic team announcement where we are expecting to hear that my youngest brother joshua has qualified for the 2016 rio games. and if for some reason he doesn't qualify, i'll be spending almost three weeks with my feet in the brazilian sand. fuck zika.

yesterday, in addition to celebrating our nations birth, the samuels clan celebrated josh, his long road coming to a climax, and just being together as a family.

and i couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with a refreshing, bright summer cocktail. i'm usually a standard vodka soda drinker, but this lightly fruity but crisp concoction really hit the spot on a summer day spent by the pool.

in a pint glass or shaker, combine the cilantro, 2 of the cucumber slices and the pineapple. using a muddler or a tablespoon, smash together the herbs and fruit till they are pretty well smashed.

add the vodka to the glass/shaker, fill with ice and shake well.

fill a tumbler with ice. strain the vodka and fruit mixture over the ice.

top the vodka with the club soda. garnish with remaining cucumber slice and any of the pineapple chunks if you like and serve.

xoxoa

cucumber pineapple smashprep time: 3 minutesserves: 6 ozingredients: 2 oz vodka. 4 oz club soda. 3 sprigs cilantro. 3 slices cucumber. 3 large fresh pineapple chunks. ice.in a pint glass or shaker, combine the cilantro, 2 of the cucumber slices and the pineapple.using a muddler or a tablespoon, smash together the herbs and fruit till they are pretty well smashed.add the vodka to the glass/shaker, fill with ice and shake well.fill a tumbler with ice. strain the vodka and fruit mixture over the ice.top the vodka with the club soda. garnish with remaining cucumber slice and any of the pineapple chunks if you like and serve.